Corin Smith is back in the red V.

Mudgee’s title defence received a gigantic boost when Smith – brother of former Orange City Lions’ winger Taylor – signed on the dotted line after two seasons on the Newtown Jets’ flank in the NSW Intrust Super Premiership.

The Jets came knocking after Smith’s 2014 Group 10 campaign, when he scored 28 tries and represented the Western Rams.

“It is a massive signing for the club and it’s so great that Corin decided that he wanted to come home,” Dragons skipper Jared Robinson said.

The inclusion of Smith bolsters the Dragons massively, as they look to become the first Mudgee side to ever claim back-to-back titles after winning the 2016 title from fifth.

The Dragons haven’t lost anyone of note as yet, suggesting they’ll be right among the contenders again in 2017.

Robinson said Smith, easily the speediest player in Group 10 prior to leaving, will slot into Mudgee’s three-quarter line, or at fullback.

“He will slot in at the centres or at fullback – we want his hands on the ball,” Robinson explained.

“When Corin left he was one of the best, if not the premier outside back in the competition and the entire division.”

The announcement of Smith’s signing will officially come from the Mudgee Dragons at their season launch on February 6, where the club’s top grade jerseys will be auctioned off.

The season launch and sponsors day has a more personal note for many in the club however – it’s been nearly a year since club legend Darryl ‘Radar’ Meers passed away, and more news comes in the form of Robbie Gillham also battling cancer.

VIDEO: Watch the breathtaking highlights of the last time Corin Smith was in Group 10, in 2014

The club has decided to hold the MORR – Mates of Radar and Robbie – day in conjunction with the launch to celebrate and support the players.

“It’s four or five blokes that have got together to try and help Robbie out, and to remember Radar,” Robinson said.

“It’s now staged to go hand-in-hand with our season launch.”

Robinson admitted the idea was originally to support Robbie with the money raised, but that changed.

“He’s a bit of a proud man, our Robbie, and he wouldn’t let us do it that way, so we looked to the hospital where they both have worked,” Robinson said.

The proceeds will go towards the Mudgee Hospital and the support of the Dragons club – all at the request of Robbie Gillham.